Reporting Child Abuse in Your Neighborhood
Assignment #29 Summary
Florida Department of Children & Family Services methods in which abuse can be reported:
By Telephone 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
By Fax 1-800-914-0004
By TDD 1-800-453-5154
Web Reporting http://www.state.fl.us/cf_web
You can write a written report and fax it to: 1-800-914-0004. The form is available online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/faxreport.pdf. Or you can report abuse online at: http://www.state.fl.us/cf_web
Florida statutes provide for: “the confidentiality of such reports (39.202); immunity from liability for good-faith reporting, and a civil cause of action for anyone whose employment is adversely affected by that reporting (39.203); abrogation of privileged communications, except between attorney and client (39.204); civil, criminal misdemeanor and, in some circumstances, felony penalties for non-reporting or false reporting (39.205,206)”
According to Florida statute 39.201, “any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, abandonment or neglect by a person responsible for a child's welfare is required to report that information to the state's toll-free hotline, an appropriate law enforcement agency or (in the case of a child's death) medical examiner”
Child maltreatment includes actions that result in imminent risk of serious harm, death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation of a child under age 18 by a parent or caretaker. “When parents can't, don't or won't protect their children, the Department of Children & Families steps in to help, providing a full spectrum of services, from parenting classes and respite care to transportation and child care. The goal of the department is to keep children safe in their own families when possible”
Before making a report it is important for you to know this information in advance:
• Name of the...